Sue a Truck Driver for Road Rage

Can You Sue a Truck Driver for Road Rage?

You’re driving home from work then a truck driver tries to push you off the road by driving too close to your car. Is this aggressive driving? Yes, it is. If the truck happens to touch your moving car causing you to collide with another car, then you can sue the driver for road rage.

So, what is aggressive driving or road rage? It’s whereby a motorist on the road intentionally performs moves that endanger fellow drivers.

What are the signs of aggressive driving?

1. Tailgating

Tailgating is whereby the driver behind you follows too close. It’s a tactic used by scam artists to intentionally make an innocent driver cause an accident. A truck driver can also tailgate you as a way of retaliation.

If the driver wrongly assumed that you cut him off, he might tailgate you for two reasons. He or she wants you to pull over then once you step out, they get into a confrontation. The second reason could be that the driver wants to ram you off.

2. Cutting off another driver

It’s no secret that truck drivers use their vehicle’s size to intimidate other motorists. A speeding truck will just swoop in front of your car and the driver won’t bother to apologize. It’s dangerous because this can lead to a multiple car accident.

When you hit your emergency brakes, chances are high that the car behind will collide with yours. This impact causes a variety of fractures and cuts that require professional medical attention.

3. Swerving from lane to lane

Swerving from lane to lane is dangerous because it endangers motorists behind and besides the truck. It’s also an indicator of driving under the influence because sober drivers maintain a straight course.

A swerving driver won’t bother to switch on their indicator lights when moving. So, drivers on the opposite side have to either veer off or cut in other motorists to avoid a collision. In this situation, the truck driver endangers several motorists and passengers deliberately.

4. Running red lights

Traffic lights regulate the flow of moving vehicles to maintain consistency and prevent accidents. However, some drivers put personal interest over the safety of fellow drivers by running red lights.

If you ever find yourself in this situation, make sure you capture both lanes on your smartphone to prove that the truck driver defied the red light.

5. Chasing

Chasing mainly occurs when the driver is intoxicated or has temperamental issues. Sometimes it has nothing to do with your driving. Perhaps you unintentionally jumped the line at the gas station ATM.

A truck driver confronts you and you apologize then head back to your car. But, he isn’t done with you so he decides to chase you down the highway edging for a fight. This is a dangerous situation because the driver can send you rolling by knocking your speeding car sideways.

6. Striking your moving car with an object

This usually happens when a driver is fleeing from an angry motorist on hot pursuit. When the truck gets within an arm’s reach, the driver strikes his victim’s car using a baseball bat. Sometimes, the driver can degenerate into throwing glass bottles directly into your windshield.

Did you know that these actions constitute battery? Once you drive to a safe place, take pictures of damages to your roof or windshield to use as evidence in court. Also, don’t discard any objects thrown inside your car.

7. Pushing your car when overtaking

Some truck drivers use this method to bully motorists driving smaller-sized cars. You’re overtaking correctly and now you want to return to your former lane. However, the truck on your left won’t decelerate.

This might cause you to hoot. However, instead of the truck driver yielding, he actually drives towards your direction to block you. He keeps pushing until your car veers off into the dirt and collides with a tree or a rock.

What should you do after getting involved in an accident due to road rage?

1. Protect yourself

If you’re dealing with a livid truck driver, then chances are high that he or she wants to inflict physical injuries. Perhaps you’ve seen truck drivers confronting motorists while carrying baseball bats, knives, or worse, firearms. How do you prevent further injuries?

Rush back inside your car and lock all doors and windows. Call the police and try as best as you can to give your exact location. You can also scream for help to other passing motorists. Just don’t try to be a hero.

2. If your pain is moderate, take pictures of the accident scene

Taking pictures of the accident scene right away enables you to capture all pieces of evidence. Your truck accident attorney needs this information when recruiting expert witnesses for the trial. If the driver ran red lights, take photos of stationary vehicles from the other lane with a red light.

It’s advisable to activate your data so that you can automatically upload these images to a remote storage account. Why? Because some truck drivers can get so annoyed that they attempt to grab your phone and smash it.

3. Seek medical attention immediately

The first stop after an accident should be the nearest hospital. An absence of pain doesn’t mean that you emerged from the accident without a scratch. Internal injuries are harder to detect due to their depth inside the body.

If you’re planning to seek legal action, seeking medical attention right away indicates the severity of your injuries. Doing this enables you to present valid medical reports in order to obtain a decent settlement check.

Now you know!

Truck accident cases involve complex federal and city laws. In order to prove that the truck driver committed aggressive driving, you need a qualified truck accident attorney to build a solid case and get a team of expert witnesses. Especially where the driver assaulted you right after causing an accident.

No matter how angry you may get, don’t fight the truck driver. Just record his irrational behavior and present it to your attorney.

Atlanta, GA

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